Thursday, July 28, 2016

In the decontextualized words of the Biebs “baby, you should go and love yourself” and nothing says loving yourself like going on a solo trip. With my total control and putting down all my fears behind and the value of the phrase “Go for it” I headed off on my first solo trip on the day of my birthday.

I could tell you I decided to go away alone, because I wanted an adventure, I was about to burn out and needed a break and why Sagada? Not that I’m bruised ego or broken hearted or wanted to sing where do broken heart goes at the top of my lungs and shout out all my I’ll feelings at the Kiltepan peek.

I know that it’s nice to have someone to cuddle with in Sagada’s cold temperature, they are one degree colder than Baguio and it’s a walk town. It’s a close weather encounter to my dream destination…someday #sunnytoastdreamneverstops

All I wanted is to be with nature, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. I want to commune with nature and be with myself again. #soulsearching ito..#pak #ganern

So two days before my birthday, I booked a ticket to baguio via Victory Liner with their deluxe bus, I needed a good sleep since I’ll be living after my wee hours work shift..no stopover, comfortable set,with c.r. at the rear, stewardess instead of conductor and ridiculously strong air-conditioning.

So I spend the 4 hours travel by catching up more sleep then I woke up around 4am in the morning with chill kiss of Baguio weather, went off and grab a taxi heading Dangwa and bought a bus ticket for another 8 hours travel to sagada.

Being alone does not mean you are a loner. I’m not exactly an introverted person- I’m loud, outgoing and prone to talk your head off...lol but traveling solo has allowed me to explore more.

Travelling alone will absolutely changes your life and let me take the rounds of what I learned something several wise people had discovered before me and why travelling solo is best for you!

1. You embrace yourself

It’s awesome to have a good times with friends and travel with your squad, but you don’t need anyone to make you happy. When you travel alone, you develop a belief in yourself and an appreciation for who you are.

You choose what you want to do and how you want to experience the new place. Maybe you spend one day seating on one of the local café shop, reading your favorite book or just looking around watching people go or the next day hiking or watching the sunset and sunrise. It’s your call. You decide what makes you the happiest.

It’s your time to explore the place on your own and in the process you get clarity on what brings you real happiness. There is nothing more liberating than to travel alone and the best experience you can have in your lifetime.

2. You expand your comfort zone

When you are alone, allow yourself to open up and meet new people. Remember that individuals are more likely to attract people alone than with a group or when paired.

You have the opportunity to interact with new people, whether out of necessity or by chance, you end up becoming pretty comfortable with saying hi when you otherwise might not have. It’s up to you to reach out but who knows what friendships you might make when you do:).

3. A Better measure of Patience.

Travelling, gives you a better measure of patience. You learn to have patience with things that are out of your control, like delays, weathers, long hour bus drive, etc.

4. Having a greater independence.

Travelling alone comes with greater responsibility. You are in charge of everything but at the same time, your independence gives you greater flexibility.

You are more open minded, more willing to take risks and more seduced by the adventure in exploring.

The success of your journey all depend on your own and desire. If you can travel alone, you really can do anything. You are strong, smart and stealthy.

5. Have different view at your material possessions.- You learn and practice minimalism

There is no better way to dematerialize your life than going backpacking. You learn how to live without many thing you once though were impossible to live without. You are force to go with the least possible. You just carry what you NEED instead of WANT.

6. Love and Compassion – This could be one of the most important things you get to learn about yourself when traveling solo.

You travel for yourself, to re-discover yourself, to experiment with your life, to explore what’s in you. Whether conscious or not, traveling alone serves as a catalyst for the love for oneself –thanks to the constant ease of introspection.

So what are you doing now, clear your schedule, booked a flight or go to a place that you been wanting and dreaming!

But before anything else, leave your problems at home. Travelling solo gives you a rare opportunity, and offers you a brief time in life when you can be completely free. Not only will you be free from your everyday responsibilities, but also from trying to meet everybody else’s expectations and playing your social role.

You can go wherever you want and do whatever things your natural rhythm and desires guide you to do. No matter what activities you decide to pursue, you’ll get to do them however and whenever you like. So go ahead and turn off that phone. Forget about whatever worries you have waiting for you at home or work.

Open your eyes and prepare yourself for a journey that will engage your mind and touch your soul.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

What I love about MAC cosmetics is that they always give us something new to look forward. This time they collaborated with designer Zac Posen- known for creating classic formfitting gowns worn on and off the red carpet, He debuts his very first signature makeup color collection last month.

He takes a cue from his own design methods—feminine form following its function and showcases his carefully chosen color palette, which is made for all skin tones.

photo viaPosen finally said yes! "It was time to tease the world with what our beauty world would look like," he said.

﻿

Zac Posen for M·A·C 'Haute Couture' - A red carpet essentials for every day:)Gorgeous packaging - so chic and alluring!

Powder Blush Duo

A matte bronzer with subtle orange undertones and pink blush. They can be worn separately for your standard hint of color or layered for a striking contour.

I love the texture of the bronzer shade and it's a bit orange which I think perfect for my skin.

When mixed together, the blush adds a slight gold shimmer to the bronze giving you a star wattage! lakas maka artista:) #charot!

Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder

A silky, colourless finishing powder suitable for all skin tones that reduces shine.This is one of my favorite from the collection. It has a matte finish and perfect for re-touch since I do have an oily face. It really brighten up my under eye.

This one is the second most expensive among the collection other than the brushes:)The lipstick comes in three limited edition shades packed in a unique gray packaging graced with the collection's insignia in gold.

Sheer Madness Lipstick

It’s a very light champagne beige and iridescent pink pearl. It add a little warmth but mostly shimmer when applied to lips.

This is a shade that can look quite different from person to person.

Darling Clementine – bright orange (matte)

Don’t be scared of orange lipstick! this shade is perfect and gorgeous.

It’s a bright, medium orange with warm, orange-red undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had intense color payoff with a smooth, velvety consistency that glided across the lips without tugging.

Dangerously Red Lipstick – blue fuchsia (matte)

It's going to be a girl best friend on her make up bag. You’ll reach for this color when you have somewhere to go from work to cocktail party. You're lips will surely stand out.

This is a bit deeper and not as matte and stay well for hours and hours.

The MAC Zac Posen collection is limited edition and only available in selected MAC counters: check Rustan's:) This makeup line features two brushes as well, one as a buffer used to blend and apply translucent powder and an angled brush that is perfect for contouring and highlighting.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Oh my blog, how I miss theee….I actually wanted to update it, a lot of things have happened and I will try to share it with you in the coming days. I guess the most pivotal is visiting home 3 times within the past 4 months. The place where I belong and love is real.

It’s really surprising, even our dogs were mesmerized with my sudden chance. I guess it comes with the age…lol or should I say I become part of the animal kingdom with the highest stage of brain surgery…mature..lol. As you grow old spending time with your family matter most. Life is short, this is the best way to live the so called life.

Along with those long home vacations which mostly spent at home and the beach, I was able to write some sensible in a most acceptable manner that my 16 gig brain cells can do.

1. Say Thank you a lot. This is truly one of the most powerful, underrated phrases in the English language. It packs a heck of a punch, encompassing positivity and impact in two little syllables. Many people have helped you get to where you are today. The guy who drove the taxi or jeepney, this morning for you to get to work on time. Nobody does anything alone. There are people we collaborate with all the time at home, on the playground, in work. When you say, "thank you" to someone, it means, "I couldn’t have done it without you.

2. I love you. I’m not saying you should throw this one around too much at work, but you catch my drift. Loving others gives us courage. Being loved gives us strength. The opposite of love is not hate; it’s indifference. And you don't have to wait for the four days of the year that are officially okay for you to say, "I love you" to significant people in your life via ready-made cards. Use the other 360 days! Surprise them but remember there are more things in life that are mere important than the love that we are looking for THE ONE:).

3. Saying No in the right time. There's one small risk in this entire mode of expression, and this word is your fail-safe. Two little letters, and yet they can be so powerful. Most important, they demonstrate that you care for yourself, which is a key prerequisite to caring truly for other people. Carry this one in your back pocket; use it when necessary. You'll find that the most positive and happy people you interact with respect you for doing so--and that can make you happy, too.

4. Judgment is a way of life, but is always a reflection of who we are and what we value. Understanding the reasons we judge specific people will often reveal our own failings and weaknesses. You can’t stop others from judging you and honestly, for the most part, it is a waste of your time.

5. Your way is not everyone’s way and that’s awesome. Surround yourself with different kinds of people — with different beliefs, thoughts, and feelings. Having people agree with you all the time is boring.

6. You’ll never know everything but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. Realizing this is the moment you step past childhood fantasies, and into the boundless possibilities of a fulfilling adulthood.

And life we will always, always, seek to categorize. You can spend years trying to fight it or you can embrace and understand it. After accepting your ‘label’ you can then confidently say ‘fuck you.’ In the words of a fictional character, “Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you.” (Ten points to Gryffindor if you know who said it.)

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Animal print is trendy yet so challenging to wear. The key here is moderation. If you opt for an animal print top, it’s a big NO to partner with the same print unless you want to look like an animal kingdom.

I believe that animal print has most impact when it forms a focal point of your outfit- not the entire outfit. One of the easiest ways to wear it is by teaming them with black, white or neutral colours. This is such a crisp, timeless look. Denim and chambray are also considered neutrals and they also make good leopard print partners.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Lately, my life has been full of counting. counting hours until work is over, counting bad relationship I had in the past that nothing seems last! (holly crap! love department seems so cruel and rude to me! ) counting the money I spend on things I need (and a lot of things I don’t), counting the days till my birthday.

Sometimes counting calms me down, makes me feel life is like a nice warm apple pie. Divided into four equal manageable slices and inherently surprise by virtue of its crust. It has an element of entertainment in every slice. But sometimes it fills me with anxiety and dread, as if every good thing was running out of time and every bad things was rushing towards me.

I wonder when I’ll stop counting.

I wonder when I’ll be able to loosen my grip on every little thing I do, and just live. I want my actions to be generous and deliberate, not hampered by second-guessing and impatience. I want to find something divine, some greater sense of liberating, driving purpose, without constantly stopping to consult every word of the fine print.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Back as a kid, I would love to pick a handful of wildflowers and putting them on empty jar. It’s just one of the random things I love doing other than swimming all afternoon and picking up seashells at the beach.

Today, as an adult living in the fast paced city life. I realized, I have become one of those who love buying and taking pictures of flowers. (not the expensive arrangement from a flower store that cost an arm and a leg).

A habit I’m trying to continue each week. It’s nice to buy things that simply make you smile.

If only I had the photography chops and a perfect natural light coming from an open window. My photo's would be divine. Which a factor that I should consider if I plan to look for a new apartment. but for now, I just need to change the paint to white and a good wall lighting will do the trick.

I would buy flowers during Sunday at Legaspi flea market and Wednesday at the right side entrance of Baclaran church, they are fresh and pocket friendly than flower shops.

Now let me count the ways in the most sensible and acceptable manner why you need to buy yourself a flower:

•Because arranging them in a vase or your precious mason jar might scratch a creative itch.

•Because it’s a relatively small gesture that will supply you with pleasure for days to come.

•Because having beautiful surroundings help you to be the best you can be.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

You might be one of those who had been eager to have a peek, shop and saved moola since first hearing the widespread humor that H&M( Hennes & Maruitz store) was opening in Manila. People asking: is it true? When?

Whichever category you were in, face the truth you have been made aware, consciously or not. How could you not? There was infinite surge of H&M model clad bigger than life billboards in Edsa, flooding instagram photos, twitter and in facebook.

The campaign was quite massive. Let’s admit it!

So yesterday it finally happened. The Swedish fashion brand opened its door in the Philippines at SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall.

Hardcore fashion lovers and goers lined up as early as Thursday afternoon thou a private party for VIP shoppers got a preview before the day it was opened to public which charmed countless Filipinos because of unending updates of their social media accounts.

I did not of course, manage to be among the first few shoppers of the store, for the unreceding length of the queue was enough to kill off my inborn appetite for shopping…lol the truth is I have work that day which is a good excuse for this money trap:)

However, I’m still on the verge of curiosity and I know one of this days. I will find myself inside the store roaming and wondering around or if patience strikes me. I'll wait for the SM Makati branch to open which is way more accessible and most likely the hype already dissipate at that time.

I just wish that collections they collaborated with international designers likeAlexanderWang, Isabel Marant, Versace and Lanvin are available on the rocks and armed with a plentiful array of undergarments, accessories and bags.

Most of all, I do hope that H&M Philippines will hold to its brand know to be a wallet friendly fashion house than its foreign counterparts.